It probably feels a bit overwhelming at the moment but I promise you that you’re on your way to your informed, empowered birth. The most important thing to remember is that you are at the heart of everything that happens – that means it’s your decision for anything to happen.
Read through these links, and all the blog posts here on this site. I really do urge you to read and bookmark them; the more you hear about birth, the more you’ll understand about it. And, crucially, the easier it’ll be for you to subconsciously refer to the information and make the right choice for you if you encounter a similar experience during your own labour.
Let’s start with that anxiety you might be feeling, and understand how fear and giving birth interact. Fear and birth are very closely interlinked, but feeling scared and affect how and when you give birth, as well as how painful it feels and how positively you feel about it afterwards.
You might have assumed that you give birth in the closest hospital to you, but that’s not the case. You have the right to choose where you birth whatever your circumstances – and it doesn’t have to be a hospital! Here’s some information to help you decide. It’s also been proven again and again that home births are as safe for most people as hospital births and that even planning to birth at home reduces the number of birth interventions and poor outcomes.
We know we need to breathe to survive, but how can we use something as simple as breathing to help our bodies birth our babies? Here’s some info on the importance of breathing properly in labour.
I talk about oxytocin a LOT in my classes – that’s because it’s so very important to the birth experience. Here’s 17 fantastic facts about the love hormone and 15 ways you can boost oxytocin production during birth. And while you’re there, here’s some ways you can shorten labour because hey, labour’s going to happen but there’s no reason we shouldn’t aim for it to be as short as possible!
So, now you’ve got some background info you’re ready to lean into your pregnancy. It’s time to enjoy it – and do some deeper learning about what’s ahead of you and what your choices are. My antenatal courses are in person if you’re in Stockport, Peak District or Greater Manchester, or online if you’re further afield. Get in touch to chat about what’s best for you.
